Quick question regarding VPN

Mattw · 2 Aug 2007 at 19:58

Hi,

Im connecting to my works vpn, but when i connect to it, my local internet connection no longer works.

For example if i open a web browser it cant connect.

is there a way to still use my personal internet connection, while connected to works VPN?

Thanks

matt

M0KUJ1N · 2 Aug 2007 at 20:11

Which VPN client are you using and what method of connection (i.e. IPSEC, L2TP, PPTP)?

Some third-party VPN apps (such as Cisco) have an option to allow local lan access. However the same sort of effect can be achieved with Windows' built-in client with some routing table hackery (though this is pretty advanced stuff!).

Mattw · 2 Aug 2007 at 20:45

ahh crap, im using windows PPTP

oddjob62 · 2 Aug 2007 at 21:12

M0KUJ1N said:
Some third-party VPN apps (such as Cisco) have an option to allow local lan access. However the same sort of effect can be achieved with Windows' built-in client with some routing table hackery (though this is pretty advanced stuff!).

that's the second time i've heard this in the last few days. I have set up PPTP VPN to a Win2k/2k3 server loads of times and never had to do any "hackery" Simply turn off "use remote gateway" in the TCP advanced options and it works fine.

M0KUJ1N · 2 Aug 2007 at 21:38

That method however will break down if you have a non-private address range at the VPN end, or if the VPN shares a private IP range with the LAN at the user's end (if he's behind a router).

boabie · 2 Aug 2007 at 22:17

Ok assuming your using the Windows built in VPN client

Right click on the vpn connection you created in network connections and choose properties, you can also click properties at the point where you enter your username and password

Go to the networking tab

In the scroll window highlight Internet Protocol (tcp/ip) settings and click the properties button

Click the advanced button in the window that opens

Uncheck the box that says "use default gateway on remote network" and ok all those windows closed

Your local internet should continue to work when your on the vpn from now on

M0KUJ1N · 2 Aug 2007 at 22:56

Actually I'm over-analysing a bit. Routing table manipulation will break down for the cases Im thinking of as well e.g. accessing IP-authenticated sites such as newscientist or nature via VPN- they aren't on our network BUT they look for a host IP that corresponds with one of ours. Short of configuring a separate routing rule for EVERY resource like this it aint gonna work!

Give the method mentioned by oddjob and boabie a go and let us know if it doesn't work- like I've tried to explain (badly) above the only cases where it wont work are pretty obscure and wouldnt work using "route add" either